Maine Bill Seeks $5 Million to Bolster Reproductive Health Care

The bill aims to protect access to family planning services amid federal funding cuts.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Reproductive health leaders in Maine are urging support for a bill that would use $5 million in state funds to address rising costs and federal funding cuts that threaten access to family planning services. The bill, LD 335, would fill funding holes and safeguard against future cuts to federal programs like Medicaid and Title X by reimbursing providers with state funds for any lost money.

Why it matters

The bill is a response to recent federal pressure on health care providers that offer abortions, including a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that stripped away abortion rights on a national level. Maine has expanded abortion rights, but federal funding cuts have forced some reproductive health clinics to reduce services or close entirely, impacting access to preventative care like cancer screenings, STI testing, contraception, and more.

The details

The $5 million in the bill would be distributed in fiscal year 2027-28 and then appropriated annually. Half of Maine Family Planning's patients rely on Medicaid, and the organization has been forced to end primary care services at some of its rural clinics due to the funding cuts. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has also lost $1 million in reimbursements for non-abortion services. The ongoing funding in LD 335 would protect against future political threats and account for rising costs to provide care.

  • In July 2025, a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill restricted Medicaid reimbursements for reproductive health care that offer abortion services.
  • Last year, the Trump administration temporarily froze Maine's Title X funding, which flows through Maine Family Planning to support non-abortion services.

The players

Rep. Amy Kuhn

The Democratic state representative from Falmouth who sponsored LD 335.

George Hill

The president and CEO of Maine Family Planning.

Lisa Margulies

The vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.

Dr. Lani Graham

A physician from Freeport who testified that family planning services save more money than they cost.

Ruth Rogers

A Bangor resident who testified in opposition to the bill, saying state funding should go toward "life-giving" services instead.

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What they’re saying

“If we lose this network, we lose preventative care that keeps Mainers healthy, like cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, contraceptive care, wellness exams, immunizations and so much more. If reproductive health care centers close, many of our most valued, vulnerable constituents will have nowhere else to go.”

— Rep. Amy Kuhn, State Representative (pressherald.com)

“For every public dollar invested in family planning, about $7 is saved in pregnancy delivery and infant care costs.”

— Dr. Lani Graham, Physician (pressherald.com)

“I am a living, breathing example of what a world without access to Planned Parenthood looks like.”

— Amy Partridge-Barber (pressherald.com)

What’s next

The Maine Legislature will vote on LD 335 in the coming weeks. If passed, the $5 million in funding would be distributed starting in fiscal year 2027-28.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing battle over reproductive health care access in the U.S., with Maine seeking to protect services threatened by federal funding cuts. The outcome could have significant implications for the health and well-being of Mainers, especially those in underserved rural areas.